Turner, Morgan to perform at Gator Growl

Published: Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at 2:51 p.m.

Country music singer Josh Turner admits that he makes an unlikely duo with comedian Tracy Morgan, the other headliner at this year’s Gator Growl.

Facts

Gator Growl

What: University of Florida Homecoming pep rally, hosted by Dara Torres with headliners Josh Turner and Tracy Morgan and featuring a skydiving team, UF senior football players, the Gator Marching Band, UF cheerleaders, the Dazzlers and the UF faculty band “In Crisis” When: 7 p.m. FridayWhere: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, University Avenue and Gale Lemerand Drive, GainesvilleTickets: Seats, which are all assigned, are $25 for the general public, $20 for UF faculty and staff, $15 for students; proceeds will help support wounded veterans through a partnership with the Wounded Warrior ProjectInfo: www.gatorgrowl.org; a veteran can be sponsored to attend the show for $25 on the website

“Ebony and ivory — it’s going to be interesting,” he said. “We’ve played all kinds of crazy shows throughout my career. You just never know what you’re going to get.”

Billed as the largest student-run pep rally in the country, Gator Growl has been a University of Florida tradition for 89 years. With the 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres as host, Friday’s performance also features a skydiving team, UF senior football players, the Gator Marching Band, the UF cheerleaders, the Dazzlers and a performance by the UF faculty band In Crisis.

Organizers for Friday’s event vowed to have a more family-friendly show than in the past, when some comedians offended families in the crowd. That vow had people scratching their heads at the choice of Morgan, whose act has been raunchy and sometimes controversial.

Turner, known for a deep voice and style that recalls an older brand of country music, is a more obvious fit into the family-friendly theme.

“I’m very much a traditionalist. That’s always where my heart has been,” he said. “It’s hard to fit in at times, but I try to take my style of country music and keep it on the cutting edge.”

A South Carolina native, Turner started singing in church choirs and went to private Belmont University in Nashville to study music. He had his big break at the Grand Ole Opry with the song “Long Black Train,” which went on to make the country charts.

Subsequent hits include “Your Man,” “Would You Go with Me” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.” Turner said he’s been able to attract a wide range of fans with his music.

“Teens to senior citizens,” he said. “That’s been the cool thing about my crowd — anybody can come out and be entertained.”

That certainly fits into the goal of Gator Growl organizers, who said they want the event to appeal to students, alumni and community members. Turner said he works to appeal to a younger crowed without alienating older folks.

“It’s not an easy job that I have to wave that traditional country music flag, but I’ve managed to do that with these last five albums,” he said.

Turner said he’s a football fan, rooting for Clemson. That kind of allegiance plays better in Gainesville than in Tallahassee, where Florida State is a conference rival of the Tigers.

“I probably would have passed on that show,” he said with a laugh.

He said he’ll play his big hits at Gator Growl as well as selections from his latest album, “Punching Bag.” The show will sound and look good, he said, with his own set and video display.

He said he’s not intimidated to play cavernous Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Turner said he’s played stadiums before as well as small theaters and honky-tonks.

“Nothing at this point really can surprise me,” he said. “I say that, but there’s something probably out there that can.”

<p>Country music singer Josh Turner admits that he makes an unlikely duo with comedian Tracy Morgan, the other headliner at this year's Gator Growl.</p><p>“Ebony and ivory — it's going to be interesting,” he said. “We've played all kinds of crazy shows throughout my career. You just never know what you're going to get.”</p><p>Billed as the largest student-run pep rally in the country, Gator Growl has been a University of Florida tradition for 89 years. With the 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres as host, Friday's performance also features a skydiving team, UF senior football players, the Gator Marching Band, the UF cheerleaders, the Dazzlers and a performance by the UF faculty band In Crisis.</p><p>Organizers for Friday's event vowed to have a more family-friendly show than in the past, when some comedians offended families in the crowd. That vow had people scratching their heads at the choice of Morgan, whose act has been raunchy and sometimes controversial.</p><p>Turner, known for a deep voice and style that recalls an older brand of country music, is a more obvious fit into the family-friendly theme. </p><p>“I'm very much a traditionalist. That's always where my heart has been,” he said. “It's hard to fit in at times, but I try to take my style of country music and keep it on the cutting edge.”</p><p>A South Carolina native, Turner started singing in church choirs and went to private Belmont University in Nashville to study music. He had his big break at the Grand Ole Opry with the song “Long Black Train,” which went on to make the country charts.</p><p>Subsequent hits include “Your Man,” “Would You Go with Me” and “Why Don't We Just Dance.” Turner said he's been able to attract a wide range of fans with his music.</p><p>“Teens to senior citizens,” he said. “That's been the cool thing about my crowd — anybody can come out and be entertained.”</p><p>That certainly fits into the goal of Gator Growl organizers, who said they want the event to appeal to students, alumni and community members. Turner said he works to appeal to a younger crowed without alienating older folks.</p><p>“It's not an easy job that I have to wave that traditional country music flag, but I've managed to do that with these last five albums,” he said.</p><p>Turner said he's a football fan, rooting for Clemson. That kind of allegiance plays better in Gainesville than in Tallahassee, where Florida State is a conference rival of the Tigers.</p><p>“I probably would have passed on that show,” he said with a laugh.</p><p>He said he'll play his big hits at Gator Growl as well as selections from his latest album, “Punching Bag.” The show will sound and look good, he said, with his own set and video display.</p><p>He said he's not intimidated to play cavernous Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Turner said he's played stadiums before as well as small theaters and honky-tonks.</p><p>“Nothing at this point really can surprise me,” he said. “I say that, but there's something probably out there that can.”</p><p>Contact staff reporter Nathan Crabbe at 338-3176.</p>